The Greek and Roman Myths: A Guide to the Classical Stories (Myths)Full of intriguing facts and diverting stories—the ideal introduction to the myths and tales that lie at the heart of Western culture. Who was Pandora and what was in her famous box? How did Achilles get his Achilles heel? What exactly is a Titan? And why is one computer virus known as a Trojan horse?The myths of ancient Greece and Rome can seem bewilderingly complex, yet they are so much a part of modern life and discourse that most of us know fragments of them. This comprehensive companion takes these fragments and weaves them into an accessible and enjoyable narrative, guiding the reader through the basic stories of classical myth. Philip Matyszak explains the sequences of events and introduces the major plots and characters, from the origins of the world and the labors of Hercules to the Trojan War and the voyages of Odysseus and Aeneas. He brings to life an exotic cast of heroes and monsters, wronged women and frighteningly arbitrary yet powerful gods. He also shows how the stories have survived and greatly influenced later art and culture, from Renaissance painting and sculpture to modern opera, literature, movies, and everyday products. |
Other editions - View all
The Greek and Roman Myths: A Guide to the Classical Stories Philip Matyszak No preview available - 2014 |
The Greek and Roman Myths: A Guide to the Classical Stories Philip Matyszak No preview available - 2010 |
Common terms and phrases
Achaeans Achilles Aeneas AENEID Agamemnon ancient Andromeda Aphrodite Apollo Argos Ariadne armour ART AND CULTURE Artemis Asclepius Atalanta Athena Athenians Bacchus beautiful became Bellerophon birth called centaur Charon child Cronos daughter death Demeter depicted Dido Diomedes Dionysus divine earth Eros Eurystheus fate father Furies Gaia gave goddess gods golden Greece Greeks and Romans Hades heavens Hecate Hector Helen Hephaestus Hera Heracles Hermes hero Hesiod Hestia HOMER ODYSSEY horse human Jason Juno Jupiter killed king LATER ART Leto Malign destiny married Mars Medea Medusa Minor aspect(s Minos modern monster mortal mother Muses myth Nemesis nymph Odysseus Oedipus Olympian Olympus oracles and shrines Orpheus painting Pandora Paris Persephone Perseus Poseidon Priam Primary aspect Prometheus Rhea Rome satyrs Semele ship Significant lovers story Tartarus temple Thebes Theseus Thetis Titans took Trojan Trojan War Troy Turnus underworld Uranus Venus VIRGIL AENEID wife Zeus